Native Americans on DU,

[Mendocino]

do you find the name "Redskins" for the Washington NFL franchise offensive? A poll done by Washington post claims that this name is OK with 90% of Native Americans in this country.

[guillaumeb]

1. The name is offensive and ignorant. eom

[floppyboo]

2. Could suggest a few they could change it to

but I'd be banned from the board for being offensive. Or on the polite side, why not 'slave traders' 'genocide generals' or ...

[Chan790]

4. Yes, I've been involved with the fight to change it for about a decade. n/t

[leftofcool]

5. I am a registered tribal member and I find it offensive

I have no objection to the feelings of my brothers and sister who do not find it so. As well, my elders are not concerned about it.

[Major Nikon]

13. Same here

I don't think my tribe every came up with an official position on the subject, but there was support for Washington originally losing their trademark case.

I think if more people knew what the term really means, there would be less support for it.

http://www.beaconbroadside.com/broadside/2014/09/what-redskins-really-means.html

[NightWatcher]

6. What I find WAY more offensive is the "tomahawk chop"

Be it at a Atl Braves game or FSU game. I know the official Seminole Tribe is ok with it (they say) but it chaps me every time.

I'm part Creek and not connected to the Seminole Tribe.

[leftofcool]

7. Hand signal as opposed to the actual words?

I agree with you. Used in the proper context, "tomahawk chop" is a good phrase.

[NightWatcher]

9. The hand hacking gesture with the stupid chant

[leftofcool]

11. Yea, it isn't pretty.

[Hiraeth]

15. I think that is pretty much the point of it. meh. Sports is nutty, especially at that level.

[Oneironaut]

8. I'm not NA but want to hear NA's views on the name.

All I see are white people pretending to speak for them (like usual). I want to hear a racially relevant view on the name, rather than a self-appointed savior or "who cares bot" sound off on the issue. It's like that hearing where womens' rights were represented by a panel of all men.

I'm white and don't feel like I should have an opinion. I want to hear the opinion of real Native Americans, rather than white pundits assuming that they can speak for them.

[leftofcool]

10. As a registered tribal member I would value your opinion

Here is a truth, some care and some don't. Most of our elders care more about food, clothing, shelter, high unemployment rate on the Reservations, proper education etc.......... On the other hand, having your heritage stolen time and time again makes slurs like "redskins" seem much worse.

[Oneironaut]

12. Thank you. It's great to hear from you.

[Hiraeth]

14. I am not offended but, whatevs. I can see it, either way. meh.

[Mike__M]

16. I stand with kin

[img][/img]

[denbot]

17. I'm kinda ambivalent towards it.

Years ago I asked my medicine man about issues regarding apropreation of various NA cultures.

I'm mostly of Chiricacua Apache and Yaqui stock, and was concerned that here in So Cal most ceremonies were weighted by Lakota, and to a lesser degree Shoshone traditions and songs.

His response was that so much culture was lost, that nearly any form of rememberance was better then oblivion, and even whites appropriating Native themes was in a way honoring our past.

I see some logic, and truth in that thought, so I don't get too worked up over such things.